Clasper mechanical shoelace



Oct. 10, 1939. P, KoNovALoFF GLASPER MECHANICAL SHOELACE Filed March 5l, 1939 Patented Oct. l0, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like.

More specifically, the invention proposes the construction of a clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like characterized by a means for quickly and conveniently closing the opening of a shoe without the necessity of passing laces through eyelets and tying the same.

Still further it is proposed to provide a pair of frame arms mounted on the sides of the opening and hingedly connected together at their ends and provided with a lazy tong structure mounted in track grooves extending along the adjacent l5 edges of said frame arms in a manner to draw said frame arms together when said lazy tong structure is pulled manually outwards.

Still further it is proposed to provide catches mounted on the outer ends of the frame arms 20 for holding the outer ends of the lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the same and upon which a member is adapted to be engaged in a manner to prevent said catches from being accidentally disengaged.

Still further it is proposed to provide a exible strand having its ends attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure in a manner to be used for pulling said lazy tong structure for urging said frame arms together.

,30 For further comprehension of the invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the 35 invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. lis an elevational view of a shoe having a clasper mechanical shoe lace constructed accord- 40 ing to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational View of the clasper mechanical shoe lace in its closed position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating 45 an open position of the parts.

Fig. 4 is a View looking in the direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

50 Fig. 6 is a sectional View of one of the pivotal connections for the lazy tong structure.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view on the line 'I-I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of 55 Fig. 7.

(Cl. ,Z4-207) Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7 illustrating a modifications of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a View similar to a portion of Fig. 2 v`5 but illustrating a further modification of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a sectional View on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11.

The clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like 10 comprises a pair of frame arms I0 for attachment along the sides of an opening formed in a shoe I I or other similar article. The frame arms I0 have their sides mounted upon the sides of the opening and are hingedly connected to- ,15 gether at their inner ends. A link I2 extends between the adjacent edges of the inner ends of the frame arms I0 and is pivotally supported upon a pin I3 extending through each of the frame arms I0.

A lazy tong structure is mounted at its inner end upon an inner portion of the frame arms and has follower elements on its sides extending along track grooves formed along the adjacent faces of the frame arms IU. The lazy tong structure is constructed of a plurality of lengths of metal I4 arranged in a zig-zag relationship to each other. The innermost metal members I 4 are pivotally connected to pins I5 which extend through the frame arms IIJ. The adjacent ends of the metal members I4 are pivotally connected together by means of followers I6. Each follower I6 comprises a pin IIia which extends through enlarged openings formed in the ends of the metal members I4. Head elements IISb are mounted upon the ends of the pin I6a and pivotally maintain the metal members thereon. Each of the frame arms IG has its edges I0a bent inwards forming track grooves I'I in which the followers I6 ride for drawing the frame arms IU together when the 40 lazy tong structure is pulled outwards. It will be noted that each successive metal member I4 forming the lazy tong structure is slightly larger than the one immediately adjacent, which permits the lazy tong structure to assume a V-shape when the frame arms are in their open position. This is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Catches are mounted on the outer ends of the frame arms for holding the outer ends of the lazy tong structure. Each of these catches comprises a iiexible plate I8 mounted adjacent the outer ends of the frame arms I0 and which is provided with a plurality of teeth I8a which are adapted to engage the outermost follower I6 of the lazy tong structure for holding the frame arms in their closed position. A leaf spring I9 is mounted 'within a cavity 2G formed within the frame arms I0 for urging the plates I8 into their operative positions. Each of the plates I3 is provided with an operator head 2! in the form of a handle which extends beyond the end of the frame III and which are adapted to be urged apart for spreading the plates I3 to release the holding action of the spring and free the lazy tong structure to permit the frame arms I0 to be opened.

A flexible strand 22 in the form of a string has its ends attached to the outermost followers I5 of the lazy tong structure and is adapted to be used for pulling the lazy tong structure to close the frame arms lll. A member 23 having openings 24 through which the strand 22 slidably passes is adapted to be slid upon the strand and engaged against the ends of the frame arms for holding the same in their closed position as shown in Fig. 2. rThis member 23 also has a second pair of openings 25 which are adapted to be engaged upon the operator heads as shown in Fig. l for preventing the same from spreading apart to release the holding action of the teeth |811.

The member 23 is provided with a means for locking the same in fixed positions upon the strands 22 for preventing the same from sliding thereon, rIhis means comprises a plug 26 rotatively extended through the member 23 and at right angles to the openings 24. This plug 26 extends partially through the openings 24 and is provided with cutout portions 2lie which are adapted to be aligned with the openings 24 for permitting the strand to freely slide therein. However, if the plug 26 is turned to disalign the cutouts 2d from the openings 24 the member 25S will be clamped in position upon the strand 22. This clamping action also prevents the member 23 from disengaging the operator heads 2l. A ring 2l is mounted upon the plug 26 and permits the same to be conveniently turned for aligning and disaligning the cutouts 2Ga with the openings 24.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

The lazy tong structure is moved to permit the frame arms to be opened so that ones foot may be slipped into the shoe Ii. The frame arms l are then closed by pulling the strand 22 manually outwards so that the lazy tong structure I4 will urge the frame arms Iii] together. Then the member 23 is slid inwards upon the strand 22 to engage the openings 25 upon the operator heads 2i of the plates I8 to hold them in their operative position. The plates I3 have teeth I8@ which engage the outermost follower I3a of the lazy tong structure serving to prevent the same from moving inwards. The plug Zi is then rotated to disalign the cutouts 2ia from the openings 24 to clamp the member 23 in position upon the strand and assist in holding the lazy tong structure.

According to the modification of the invention shown in Fig. l() the construction of the clasper mechanical shoe lace is similar to that previously described and distinguishes therefrom merely in the construction of the plug 26"used for clamping the member 23 in position on the strand 22. In this form of the invention the plug 26 is threadedly engaged into the top face of the member 23 and is adapted to be tightened against the strand 22 for holding the member 23 in position thereon. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form.

According to the modification of the invention shown in Figs. Il and 12 the plates I8' are mounted upon the bottom wall of the vertical arms I and each of the arms IU is provided with a recessed portion II]b for permitting the plate to be moved downwards to free the lazy tong structure. The outermost follower I6 of the lazy tong structure is provided with a catch element 28 having a portion cooperative with the teeth I8a of the plate I8. The ends of the strand 22 are also connected with the catch element 2B of the lazy tong structure. The member 23 which is used for holding the operator heads 2l is provided with an inwardly extending projection 2?a engageable into the ends of the frame arms III to prevent movement thereof and hold the plates IS against flexing to release the catch elements 28 until such time as the member 23 is removed from the ends thereof. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous forms.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications com- 'f ing within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like, comprising a pair of frame arms for attachment along the sides of an opening and hingedly connected together at their ends, a lazy tong structure mounted at its inner end upon an inner por- I tion of said frame arms and having follower elements on its sides engaging track grooves extending along the adjacent faces of said frame arms, catches mounted 0n the outer ends of said frame arms for holding the outer end of said lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the catches, flexible strands attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure, a member slidably mounted on said strands, means for locking said member in xed positions on said strands, and said member having openings engageable with said operator heads for locking said operator heads.

2. A clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like, comprising a pair of frame arms for attachment along the sides of an opening and hingedly connected together at their ends, a lazy tong structure mounted at its inner end upon an inner portion of said frame arms and having follower elements on its sides engaging track grooves extending along the adjacent faces of said frame arms, catches moimtcd on the outer ends of said frame arms for holding the outer end of said lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the catches, flexible strands attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure, a member slidably mounted on said strands, means for locking said member in fixed positions on said strands, and said member having openings engageable with said operator heads for locking said operator heads, said lazy tong structure comprising a plurality of metal members extended between the adjacent sides of said frame arms and having their adjacent ends pivotally mounted upon said follower elements.

3. A clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like, comprising a pair of frame arms for attachment along the sides of an opening and hingedly connected together at their ends, a lazy tong structure mounted at its inner end upon an inner portion of said frame arms and having follower elements on its sides engaging track grooves eX- tending along the adjacent faces of said frame arms, catches mounted on the outer ends of said frame arms for holding the outer end of said lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the catches, flexible strands attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure, a member slidably mounted on said strands, means for locking said member in fixed position on said strands, and said member having openings engageable with said operator heads for locking said operator heads, said lazy tong structure comprising a plurality of metal members extended between the adjacent sides of said frame arms and having their adjacent ends pivotally mounted upon said follower elements, said follower elements comprising a pin extending through the adjacent ends of said metal mombers, and head elements mounted upon the ends of said pins and engaging the said track grooves.

4i. A clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like, comprising a pair of frame arms for attachment along the sides of an opening and hingedly connected together at their ends, a lazy tong structure mounted at its inner end upon an inner portion of said frame arms and having follower elements on its sides engaging track grooves eX- tending along the adjacent faces of said frame arms, catches mounted on the outer ends of said frame arms for holding the outer end of said lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the catches, flexible strands attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure, a member slidably mounted on said strands, means for locking said member in fixed positions on said strands, and said member having openings engageable with said operator heads for locking said operator heads, said track arms having portions thereof bent inwards forming said track grooves.

5. A clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like, comprising a pair of frame arms for attachment along the sides of an opening and hingedly connected together at their ends, a lazy tong structure mounted at its inner end upon an inner portion of said frame arms and having follower elements on its sides engaging track grooves extending along the adjacent faces of said frame arms, catches mounted on the outer ends of said frame arms for holding the outer end of said lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the catches, flexible strands attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure, a member slidably mounted on said strands, means for locking said member in fixed positions on said strands, and said member having openings engageable with said operator heads for locking said operator heads, said catches comprising plates mounted within said frame arms and being provided with teeth engaging the outermost follower element of said lazy tong structure, and a resilient means for urging said plates into an operative position.

6. A clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like, comprising a pair of frame arms for attachment along the sides of an opening and hingedly connected together at their ends, a lazy tong structure mounted at its inner end upon an inner portion of said frame arms and having follower elements on its sides engaging track grooves eX- tending along the adjacent faces of said frame arms, catches mounted on the outer ends of said frame arms for holding the outer end of said lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the catches, iieXible strands attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure, a member slidably mounted on said strands, means for locking said member in xed positions on said strands, and said member having openings engageable with said operator heads for locking said operator heads, said means for locking said member comprising a plug extending through said member and cutouts formed in said plug and alignable with said openings through which said strands pass, and means for rotating said plug to disalign said cutouts from said openings to clamp said strands.

7. A clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like, comprising a pair of frame arms for attachment along the sides of an opening and hingedly connected together at their ends, a lazy tong structure mounted at its inner end upon an inner portion of said frame arms and having follower elements on its sides engaging track grooves eX- tending along the adjacent faces of said frame arms, catches mounted on the outer ends of said frame arms for holding the outer end of said lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the catches, flexible strands attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure, a member slidably mounted on said strands, means for locking said member in Xed positions on said strands, and said member having openings engageable with said operator heads for locking said operator heads, said means for locking said member comprising a plug threadedly engaged into said member and engageable upon said strands for holding the same.

8. A clasper mechanical shoe lace or the like, comprising a pair of frame arms for attachment along the sides of an opening and hingedly connected together at their ends, a lazy tong structure mounted at its inner end upon an inner portion of said frame arms and having follower elements on its sides engaging track grooves eX- tending along the adjacent faces of said frame arms, catches mounted on the outer ends of said frame arms for holding the outer end of said lazy tong structure and having operator heads for releasing the catches, ilexible strands attached to the outer ends of said lazy tong structure, a member slidably mounted on said strands, means for locking said member in xed positions on said strands, and said member having openings engageable with said operator heads for locking said operator heads, said catches comprising catch elements mounted upon the outermost follower elements of said lazy tong structure, a plate mounted on the base wall of said frame arms, and teeth on each of said plates and engageable by said catch elements.

PETER KON OVALOFF. 

